Italy: Muslim Scholars Warn Pope Global Security At Risk

October 11, 2007

Rome, 11 Oct. (AKI) – Distinguished Muslim scholars have written to Pope Benedict XVI warning global security is at risk if Muslims and Christians cannot make peace with each other, said the British newspaper, The Daily Mail, on Thursday.

A total of 138 scholars from every Muslim sect sent the letter to the pope and other Christian leaders.

“As Muslims, we say to Christians that we are not against them and that Islam is not against them, so long as they do not wage war against Muslims on account of their religion, oppress them and drive them out of their homes,” the letter said.

The newsaper said the letter also stressed the need for both faiths to reach an understanding, because they comprised “more than 55 per cent of the population, making the relationship between these two religious communities the most important factor in contributing to meaningful peace around the world.”

The letter was drafted by the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, a Jordan-based non-government organisation founded in 1980 by the late King Hussein.

It also said the Koran placed a duty on Muslims to treat Christians and Jews with particular friendship.

The Royal Institute, and 38 top Muslim clerics also wrote a letter to the pope in 2006, expressing support after he apologised for using a quote by Mediaeval Emperor Manuel II Paleologus and an ‘educated Persian’ about the Prophet Mohammed.

The full text of the letter was due to be released in Washington later on Thursday.